We arrived at Colombo Airport from Shanghai at around 7:30PM, and our flight the following morning to Doha was at 10:50AM. So we were faced with a ~15 hour layover, where ideally we would have stayed near the airport.
However, based on my research there aren’t any decent hotels near the airport, so we instead decided to stay at the Hilton Colombo. The city of Colombo is about a 45 minute drive from the airport, so it’s a bit of a haul. For what it’s worth, the rate was ~$140 for our one night stay.
Upon arriving in Colombo we first had to queue for a visa, though fortunately we didn’t have to pay the usual visa fee, given that we were just in transit. I’d note that this took some pushing, as the immigration officer needed approval from the “chief immigration officer” before he could waive our visa fee.
So it was about 8PM before we were out of the airport, and then we took an Uber to the city. There’s a great highway between the city and the airport, so it’s a very pleasant ride.
The Hilton is a bit dated from the outside, as you might expect.
Hilton Colombo exterior
Upon pulling into the hotel we were greeted by the bellmen and pointed to reception.
Hilton Colombo exterior
The lobby was under renovation, so there were temporary walls in the entry area.
Hilton Colombo lobby
Reception was located inside the lobby and to the left, and across from it was a pastry shop with some incredible looking sweets.
Hilton Colombo lobby
Check-in was efficient and friendly. Personally I find Sri Lankans to be among the friendliest and most hospitable people in the world, so the friendly service came as no surprise. I was informed that I had been upgraded to a club room, and was presented with a letter describing my Diamond benefits, as well as the details of the executive lounge.
Hilton Colombo Diamond welcome letter
Hilton Colombo executive lounge information
I took the elevator up to the 17th floor, where my room was located. The elevator seemed to be a bit glitchy, because whenever I entered that I wanted to go to the 17th floor, the elevator in fact took me to the 18th floor, and then I had to push the 17th floor button again.
Hilton Colombo elevators
Upon exiting the elevator I turned right, and then my room was located on the left.
Hilton Colombo hallway
I was assigned room 1715, a club king room.
Hilton Colombo room exterior
Hilton Colombo floorplan
The room featured an entryway with a closet on the right and the bathroom on the left.
Hilton Colombo king room entryway
The room itself was dated though well maintained.
Hilton Colombo king room
It featured a king size bed, which was nice and soft.
Hilton Colombo king room
Hilton Colombo king room
Across from it was a luggage rack, as well as a TV on a dresser.
Hilton Colombo king room TV & desk
In the far corner of the room was a desk with a leather office chair.
Hilton Colombo king room desk
Across from that was a couch which seated two, along with a coffee table.
Hilton Colombo king room couch
Waiting on the table was a bowl of fresh fruit, as well as a variety of chocolates.
Hilton Colombo fruit and chocolate welcome gift
Hilton Colombo chocolate welcome gift
The bathroom was perhaps the most drab part of the room. The harsh lighting made it feel a bit like a hospital.
Hilton Colombo king room bathroom
The bathroom featured a toilet with a hose, a sink, and a shower/tub combo.
Hilton Colombo king room toilet
I’m not sure if it was just my room, but the water pressure was terrible.
Hilton Colombo king room shower
Toiletries were provided by Peter Thomas Roth, as is the norm at Hilton.
Hilton Colombo king room toiletries
Back near the entrance was a kettle, bottled water, and instant coffee and tea.
Hilton Colombo king room coffee & kettle
My room had nice views of the city, with the ocean in the distance. This was my first time actually leaving the airport in Colombo, and after seeing the views I’m excited to return (hopefully soon). I was surprised by the number of high rises under construction (the Grand Hyatt Colombo is among them, if/when it ever opens).
Hilton Colombo king room view
My major complaint about the room is that the internet was quite slow. It wasn’t unusable, though there was huge variance in the internet speed, which was annoying.
We were quite hungry at this point, given the quality of food on our China Eastern flight. Matthew and I both felt like eating Italian, and as it turns out, the hotel has an Italian restaurant which is well regarded, called Il Ponte. It’s located in the same area as the pool and gym, which I’ll talk more about later. Il Ponte just has outdoor seating.
Hilton Colombo Italian restaurant
We both had pizzas, which were very good, and hit the spot.
Hilton Colombo Italian restaurant pizza
We also briefly checked out the club lounge. Unfortunately we arrived at the hotel after the club lounge spread was done for the evening (cocktails are served from 6PM until 8:30PM), though refreshments are still available until 11PM. The lounge was on the small side, though it didn’t seem too busy when we were there.
The lounge had two rooms. One just had several tables, along with two couches.
Hilton Colombo executive lounge
Hilton Colombo executive lounge
Hilton Colombo executive lounge
Then the other room had mostly couches, as well as the food spread.
Hilton Colombo executive lounge
Hilton Colombo executive lounge
As a club guest you can have breakfast either in the restaurant or in the club lounge. We decided to check them both out.
The lounge spread was surprisingly good, in my opinion.
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
There was fresh fruit, cereal, salad, cold cuts, salmon, veggies, cheese, fresh pastries, bread, croissants, and even a seafood canapé (which seemed a bit odd for breakfast).
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo executive lounge breakfast buffet
We only had coffee in the lounge, and then eventually headed to SPICES Restaurant, where breakfast is also served. This was located off the lobby, just past the lobby sitting area.
Hilton Colombo lobby bar
The restaurant wasn’t especially busy.
Hilton Colombo SPICES Restaurant
The food spread was quite good, especially the Indian and Sri Lankan selection.
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
Then there was a station where they made crepes and waffles, and you could also order custom made omelets.
Hilton Colombo restaurant breakfast buffet
All three were delicious.
Hilton Colombo breakfast waffle, crepes, and omelet
The only other comment I have about breakfast is that the coffee was vile.
While we only had a quick overnight, we decided to check out the pool and fitness center in daylight hours. It’s a bit complicated to get there, since it’s across the street from the Hilton. If you exit SPICES Restaurant there’s a path that leads there.
Hilton Colombo path to pool
Hilton Colombo path to pool
You have to take an overpass to cross the road.
Hilton Colombo walkway to pool
The pool itself was decent.
Hilton Colombo pool
Hilton Colombo pool
Hilton Colombo pool
There was also a gym, which seemed rather outdated to me.
Hilton Colombo gym
The following morning we left the Hilton at 8AM to head back to Colombo Airport, once again using Uber. The drive took about 45 minutes.
Hilton Colombo bottom line
While not the world’s most luxurious hotel, it was perfectly functional, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly and genuine. It’s nice that they let Diamond members have breakfast in the club lounge. The Italian restaurant at the hotel that we had dinner at was excellent as well.
If anyone has other tips for great hotels in Colombo I’d certainly welcome them. I know a Grand Hyatt is supposed to open there eventually, though the opening date seems to continuously be pushed back.
If returning to Colombo I’d stay at the Hilton again, whether I was visiting for an extended period of time, or just overnighting, as I was here.
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